Section outline

  • Programming Basics We’ve Learned So Far

    Before diving into more advanced Arduino programming, let’s take a quick look at the core concepts we’ve already explored in earlier courses. This will help you see how everything connects and why we are now ready to take the next step.

    • 🔌 What You’ve Already Done

      • Wired and programmed an LED to blink using digitalWrite().
      • Read button inputs using digitalRead() and made the LED respond.
      • Created simple logic for robots like the line follower using if-else conditions.
      • Viewed data using the Serial Monitor via Serial.print().

      📜 Structure You’ve Been Using

      You’ve worked with this basic Arduino sketch structure in almost every project:

      void setup() {
  // Runs once at the beginning
}

void loop() {
  // Runs again and again forever
}

      🧠 What You’ve Been Doing (Without Realizing)

      • Thinking logically: "If this happens, do that."
      • Creating simple functions like digitalWrite() and delay() in sequence.
      • Debugging issues by checking the Serial Monitor or adjusting values.

       

    • 🤔 Why Do We Need More?

      • Your programs are getting longer and harder to manage.
      • Copy-pasting the same lines makes your code messy.
      • You need to reuse code blocks with small changes.
      • You want smarter robots that respond to multiple inputs.

      ✅ What’s Coming Next?

      We’ll now learn how to:

      • Repeat actions using loops
      • Group tasks using custom functions
      • Use arrays to handle lots of similar values (like sensor readings)
      • Explore powerful libraries that save time and add new features

      This is where your journey from a beginner to a confident Arduino programmer truly begins.